Who pays for mold repair: tenant or landlord?« Back to Previous Page

This is a common issue in Dubai apartments, particularly during humid months. The responsibility for repair and payment typically depends on the source of the moisture causing the mold.

The landlord is generally responsible for fixing the underlying cause if it is a structural or maintenance issue. This includes problems like leaking pipes in the walls, faulty external waterproofing, or inadequate insulation leading to condensation—a frequent issue in JVC apartments where year-round AC use can create significant temperature differences between walls. The persistent damp smell you describe strongly suggests a continuous moisture source, which often falls under the landlord's purview for remediation.

As the tenant, you are responsible for damage caused by your own actions, such as lack of ventilation or failure to report a leak in a timely manner. However, the humidity itself is an environmental factor. Document everything with dated photos showing the spread from the initial discovery to its current state. This timeline is crucial.

Your first step is to formally notify the landlord or property management company in writing, including your photo evidence. Request that they investigate and rectify the source of the moisture intrusion. For a case this advanced, a professional inspection is recommended to identify the exact moisture source and mold type, as this provides a factual basis for the required repairs. The remediation process must address the root cause, not just wipe away the visible mold, or it will return.